Last week vs. the Falcons, the Seahawks were playing with a healthy defensive line, having Byron Murphy II back from injury and added depth in Roy Robertson-Harris. Although the run defense, something the Seahawks have struggled with this season, didn't look the best in the first half against the Falcons, Seattle held it together in the second half. So much so that Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson had to make note of it in his notebook.
"The second half of last week, I was just so proud of how we responded and the adjustments that we made and it's just like, I am not going to say we're there. We haven't played a game yet, but I think we're almost there. It starts in practice, starts in on those details, those hand placements and just playing golf of each other. Chemistry takes time and as you see it, it's taking time. So that's something we need to improve on and we know that you can't win in this league if people are running the ball down your throat, just to be honest with you. So, I'm looking forward to how we're going to respond Sunday."
Seattle's defense was able to hold the Falcons to just 22 rushing yards in the second half and defensive coordinator Aden Durde said it started with the line.
"Just the ability to contain the run inside," he said. "We really went back and talked about how we set edges, how we'd be vertical up the field, get on and off blocks and you saw it in the second half."
With the line being healthy last week, Durde was able to get a look at the potential the defensive front has.
"You feel it because the ability to stay fresh when the game's in the real moments," Durde said. "I'm not saying that you're putting value in different parts of the game but when there's times when you want to be at your fastest rushing a passer and things like that, when you've got that rotation and you can take those first and second down reps off of Leo, off of Byron, off of Jarran, off of Boye. Suddenly when they're rolling in and it's that time, they're ready to go."
The Bills are ranked No. 9 in rushing attempts but hover near the middle of the league in terms of rushing yards this season.
For Durde, being better in run defense isn't just on one position.
"I think really and truthfully in the run game at times it's the ability to get on and off blocks. It's the ability to get someone down when someone misses a tackle. You saw last week we had two, I think it was three explosive runs that really kind of got those yards for them and those are the things you've got to cut out. Someone misses a tackle, he keeps his feet and he gets on the edge and then suddenly it's another 20 yards. Those are the things to me, it's not one person, it's not one position. I think we've got to understand how we contain a run, how we play our gap, how we throw our hands, how we get on and off blocks and every week I feel we're really improving in that area."
Dodson said the team had a good day of practice this week, after having one of their best practices last week heading into the Falcons matchup, saying that a good practice can make all the difference.
"We had our best practice last week, last Wednesday, and we had another great practice yesterday too. So I mean that just goes to show when you work, good things come to you. So we got to keep working and just got to keep honing in on the details."
Adding that a good practice involves a few different things, "Just hearing helmets smash and you hear the offense talking. You hear the defense being obnoxious. That means guys are out here trying to be intentional and working. That's all you ask for…
So I'm just so proud of the guys, how we keep responding. Things haven't been going our way, but guess what? We're going to keep responding, coming back, knocking at that door."
The Seahawks participated in a practice on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in preparation for the team's upcoming Week 8 matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5), long snapper Chris Stoll (41) and punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Dee Williams (33) and linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Miles Boykin (81) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37)practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Faion Hicks (30) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and cornerback Faion Hicks (30) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
